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ShortQuests -- individual adventure modules! An all-new collection of digest-sized D&D adventures designed to plug in to your game.

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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Derulbaskul" data-source="post: 1003443" data-attributes="member: 1581">Firstly, congratulations on such an interesting take on the module. I've talked to my players about being drow or Zhentarim agents... and didn't take it to the next step of combining the two. Hmmm, I wonder if I can convince them...> 1. How do they get out of the UnderDark? The portal that got them here was sealed to prevent more intruders by the cult. Walking back is an ugly option, lol, but possible, as they skipped every encounter between Szith Morcane and Maerimydra.How about via the Plane of Shadow... which means that they will have to find the "planar bleed" which, in turn, will require some walking....> 2. Should Irae or Kurgoth attack them before they can leave Maerimydra or on the way back? As Irae serves a deity whose portfolio includes vengeance, I reckon she would act as quickly as possible. As for Kurgoth, why not let him take his time and attack later... like in a few months or a year or so. That way they will always be looking over their shoulders....> 3. Were all Irae's undead destroyed with the portal?I would say all within the city were.> 4. What about the attempted murder charges awaiting them in Zhentil Keep?If Fzoul is presenting them with medals, I am sure that a pardon will also be on offer.> 5. How much power do the cult's agents hold in the Keep now?Surely Fzoul would have rooted them out in the party's absence.> 6. What was Cyric's goal in attacking Maerimydra beyond conquest? Was he trying to seize the portfolio of undeath from Kiaransalee?I think Cyric plans to spread strife across the Realms... and that includes the Underdark. Seeing the drow effectively headless with Lolth's silence, surely he would take the opportunity to spread his own special brand of "strife and discord" in her absence with a longer term view of attracting drow to his worship.> 7. What was Bane's goal in sending the PCs to destroy the cult's plans?Chaos is just as much a threat to Bane's tyranny as good. Also, if Bane is given the credit for stamping out the chaos that Irae would have caused, his cause of tyranny becomes that much easier to sell.Think of Singapore: why do people accept 35+ years of unelected single-party government? Because they remember the genuine chaos of the '60s.> 8. Is House Jaelre strong enough to seize Szith Morcane and/or Maerimydra now that the cult has been destroyed and Kurgoth's Maerimydra forces are in disarray? Vhaeraun should be pleased, anyway, that Kiaransalee was thwarted.I don't believe so, nor is it in Vhaeraun's interests for his followers to establish a new Underdark base when his stated goal is retaking the surface.> 9. With the death of the Thayan smuggler in the Keep (actually, he's a vampire now), the trade deal between the PCs and House Jaelre is jeopardized. A new merchant contact must be found. The Thayan had a brother who is a Red Wizard... perhaps a Thayan Enclave should be formed in the Keep now that its primary opposition is gone (the smuggler had the PC wizard assassinate the Red Wizard who wanted to open an Enclave in the Keep as it would destroy his own business).This sounds like something that needs to be resolved as part of the campaign very much depending on the PCs' actions. Perhaps the brother represents a more sinister faction... specifically, the followers of Shar?Anyway, after whetting my appetite with your descriptions of your variant CotSQ campaign, I hope to hear more.CheersD</blockquote>

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